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Original poster

Bladder weakness help

124 replies

Olivesandwine · 30/07/2018 18:43

I have never really had a real problem with wetting myself when I sneeze or cough, but about 6 weeks ago I wet myself a little bit when I was walking back from a night out. I was desperate for the loo and was laughing so just put it down to that. Then the same thing happened again 2 weeks ago, needed the toilet and whilst walking same thing happened. I was going to start doing some pelvic floor exercises but didn’t get round to it.
Then today at work, I needed the toilet and again a little bit of wee came out. I was/am mortified.
It’s as if my bladder can’t hold things in when I am on the move and need to go. Has only happened while I have been walking and on my way to the toilet so far.
Is this stress incontinence? I don’t know what to do. Do I start doing the exercises and see if things improve? Or go to the doctors first. I’m quite horrified and embarrassed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Olivesandwine · 16/08/2018 22:08

Haven't even had an examination by doc yet. That's next week then depending on the outcome I might get referred. Not been too bad today. Trying not to think about it as it makes it worse.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 16/08/2018 22:08

There is loads of research and evidence that oestrogen cream helps with these symptoms in menopause. Works for me
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/11769665/

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 17/08/2018 06:36

Thanks but this is my first ever uti so not recurrent. And apparently it's gone so not causing my symptoms.
I was pretty good most of yesterday and it only started up again when I was sat and started thinking about it. All in my mind maybe? But I'll still get checked out.

OP posts:
Toofle · 17/08/2018 22:03

It's very hard not to think about it when it dictates your whole life.

Itsonly5oclock · 19/08/2018 18:12

How are you OP. Any better?

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 20/08/2018 06:22

Not great. Had a bad day yesterday and wondered if infection had come back so I did a home urine test this morning and it showed trace blood but no infection?
Tbh I am panicking now. Seeing doc anyway on Wednesday and it can't come soon enough!
Wish I hadn't done the test. Cant even be sure it is that reliable but it's hard not to jump to conclusions. The dipstick test I had done last week was apparently clear but maybe trace blood following a uti is not seen as significant and wasn't mentioned?
I'm driving myself nuts over thinking.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 20/08/2018 13:24

As you said

Its probably just my age and another delight of the menopause. Its more than I can't totally hold it in when I need to

Please do ask about trialling oestrogen cream

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 20/08/2018 18:37

Thanks Cestlavielife. Can I ask how it has helped you? Did you have similar symptoms to me?
I am going round in circles today. Not panicking about urine test any more.
Now I’ve moved onto worrying “have I leaked again?”. I know I haven’t and this is too much information (apologies because it’s gross) but it’s really warm where I work and I do sweat a bit in my nether regions at times and my pants have sometimes felt a little bit damp, making me think have I leaked? I know I haven’t because when I did actually leak, I could feel it coming out. I don’t sweat like this out of work. Sorry this is so embarrassing. Is it just me this happens to?

OP posts:
Itsonly5oclock · 20/08/2018 19:10

No I don’t think it’s just you. What with the hot weather we’ve been having, and the lovely plastic covered chairs we sit on at work, I too get a bit damp. It’s a bit gross I suppose but just a fact of life that you do sweat in the groin area. We sometimes fight over the fans and have been known to point them up our skirts to cool down lol.

I think you are being overly sensitive and getting too stressed about it all. I speak from experience being a world class worrier so you have my sympathies.

cestlavielife · 22/08/2018 11:26

Olives yes like a constant uti but wasn't a uti.
Ps it was a young male gp who made the right call and medication suggestion. After going thru all bladder scans etc

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 22/08/2018 11:35

Thanks cestlavielife. That's certainly something to think about.
I'm just back from docs. Pelvic exam fine but full bloods done and urine sample being sent off for testing as its showing nitrates, but no blood which is good. Also internal ultrasound being arranged. So we'll wait and see.
Feel a bit better now I'm being checked out.Think doc was a bit concerned that I have lost weight, 5 or 6lb in two weeks, but I'm not as stress does this to me.

OP posts:
Peggyandkitty · 23/08/2018 07:37

Glad you are feeling better about things Olives.
I am the same when I am stressed, just dont eat and the weight just drops off.
Please update your results. Its helpful for anyone else going through similar.

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 23/08/2018 08:55

Thanks. Had a very good day yesterday, hardly any symptoms at all.
I don't know whether to cancel ultrasound now but dh thinks I should still go for it just to make sure all is in order up there. Won't do any harm I suppose, except feel like I'm a time waster.

OP posts:
Itsonly5oclock · 24/08/2018 17:13

Pleased things are improving. Hopefully you get sorted. I agree don't cancel the ultrasound.

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 24/08/2018 17:22

I haven't a clue what's going on. Wednesday I felt great, almost back to normal then yesterday and today symptoms back, and feeling of needing to wee all the time again!
Blood results came back yesterday and everything was fine so just waiting for the urine test, which I believe takes a bit longer. I will definitely go for the scan which will probably be in about 6 weeks.

Sorry for boring everyone, this thread has been going on for a while Blush but it might be helpful to some one out there.

OP posts:
Toofle · 25/08/2018 19:12

Definitely have the scan , even if your symptoms have subsided by then. Something odd has been going on and it would be sensible to track it down if you can.

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 25/08/2018 22:51

I definitely will Toofle. Been awful again today. I'm really hoping the urine test shows up something and I can get this sorted.
Its really getting me down.

OP posts:
Ollivander84 · 26/08/2018 00:30

Might sound a bit random but I also had my first UTI this year. I felt off and they did a dip test and rang me to say I had a raging UTI with blood that I hadn't noticed Blush
Being immunosuppressed they started me on antibiotics straight away. But for maybe 2-3 weeks after I still had the same symptoms and was v conscious of it
Had more dip tests and all ok, and eventually it just went. I think it was just on my mind a lot?

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 26/08/2018 06:51

Thanks Olivander. I have had this for 4 weeks now and I can think of nothing else which I know isn't helping.
Been referred for an internal scan so waiting for that and also the results of the last urine sample which showed nitrates on the dip test, but what with bank holiday won't be able to enquire till Tuesday.
Surely if I'd had an infection for that long it would have got worse and I'd have more symptoms than wanting to wee constantly? I don't have pain as such but just uncomfortable pressure.

But, I do suffer from anxiety and I am focusing totally on this so I know I am making things worse.
Either way I am miserable Sad and just want it to go away.

OP posts:
Peggyandkitty · 30/08/2018 06:56

How are you doing Olives?

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 30/08/2018 07:09

Just the same tbh.
Urine sample came back clear and I was disappointed because I wanted to be able to get another lot of antibiotics and get rid of this.

Someone suggested doing the pelvic floor exercises might be causing more irritation so don't know whether to stop them. Funny how this feeling of pressure started when I started doing loads of pelvic floor exercises so they may have a point.

Pretty down tbh and I wish I could stop thinking about this as it could well be its making my symptoms worse or even creating them Sad

OP posts:
sockportal · 30/08/2018 08:27

@Olivesandwine I think you have the same thing as me. All my rest come back negative and I'm always in pain and have the urge to go for a wee especially at night time.

What has helped me is seeing a pelvic floor physio, they have identified an area of weakness in my vagina near the uretha and bladder. I have been given some exercises which help me manage the symptoms.

cestlavielife · 31/08/2018 21:21

Have you discussed trying vaginal oestrogen cream with gp? It s a typical issue ie your symptoms at our age and for some e.g. myself the cream really works!

Original poster
Olivesandwine · 05/09/2018 08:52

Symptoms still ongoing here. Going to be at least another 3 weeks before I get my scan. I'm pretty fed up.
Cestlavielife I am very interested in what you say. Is this something you can just go to the doctors and demand? I am surprised my gp did not mention this. But maybe because I am many years post menopausal she never thought of it but I guess I'll have to go through other tests first to rule out other stuff.
Trying D mannose supplements in the meantime Sad

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 05/09/2018 09:33

A gp suggested it but not all do. Just ask. It doesn't cost much and a trial of a few weeks will.tell .you if it helps or not . Nothing to lose.

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